Having managed to waylay d'Artagnan from launching into a desperate search to find Constance, we waited until we had news that Milady had taken the bait which the cardinal fed her to meet him in secret. It was the least the cardinal could do, all things considered. In my impatience, I had not thought to bring a weapon with me. Knowing that woman now as I did, I deemed it foolish to go without some form of protection. Luckily, I knew that the garrison was always well stocked, and I left with two pistols and a dagger settled upon my belt. The others were already mounting their horses.
There were not enough for us all, I being the spare it seemed, but Porthos immediately moved his horse towards me and leaned down to offer me his hand, mouth curled in a lopsided grin. "Come on, darling'. You're riding with me."
"How assertive of you," I teased but took his hand without hesitation. The moment I had placed my foot upon his to act as a firm grounding, Porthos hefted me up behind him where I immediately settled myself upon the horse's rump. Perhaps a little uncomfortable compared to the saddle, but thankfully I had thought to change my attire into one of my older, more practical dressed. The hem of the skirts covered my ankles even when sitting astride, so all that was left was to simply place my arms around Porthos and hold onto him.
"Don't fall off now," looking back at me, I returned his gaze with an arched brow.
"If I do, then I am taking you with me." Roaring with a laugh, Porthos dug in his heels and the horse flew forwards, forcing me to latch onto Porthos and press myself into his back to keep from sliding over the horse's rear. He did that on purpose. All my strength went into holding onto my seat, meaning that I could not curse or cuss to reprimand him, only continue to hold on. We powered through the streets and to the destined meeting place, where Milady was already waiting for our arrival.
Judging by the withering look she gave us, she had not expected the cardinal to have turned on her. Seeing her gave rise to several ugly emotions, like several snakes lifting their heads to writhe and hiss whilst their poison accrued in their stomach. Glowering heatedly, it took every measure of self restraint not to simply draw a pistol and shoot her dead. Lifting his head, Treville spoke first. "The Cardinal was unavoidably detained." Milady pursed her lips.
"So, he has finally betrayed me?" She did not look pleased, but neither was she overcome with hurt and remorse. It seemed unjust that she did not seem unfazed by the inevitable betrayal of her employer. I wanted her to suffer. To suffer and wallow as I had these five years past. "Well, it changes nothing. I've already won," she reasoned with a victorious smirk as her eyes settled upon me with a vicious, cunning glow. "Athos is dead." Now at least, I could smirk in the knowledge that we had claimed victory against her. Athos, my brother, had arrived. Seeing our expressions, Milady realised her folly only too late. "I should have guessed." After a moment, my brother raised his face towards her.
"It seems we are both prone to resurrection."
"It's amazing what you can do with a bit of play acting," chuckling to himself, Porthos nudged me gently as I remained sitting behind him, one hand resting upon the back of his belt to keep myself steady. "And a pig's bladder full of blood."
"Yes," I agreed sweetly, nudging him back playfully. "Except the part where you men almost killed me with genuine grief. I should not like to experience that again. Otherwise, you had all better hope you are dead before I get my hands on you." A quiet laugh rippled amongst us, but Milady and Athos were entirely focused upon each other.
"Did your revenge…taste sweet?" Approaching her cautiously, I watched my brother fiercely as he stood before Milady. My hand strayed towards a pistol, just to be prepared.
"For a moment," she admitted, "and then something strange happened. The world seemed diminished without you." Moving around Athos as she spoke, Milady made to leave without a care in the world, turning only when she heard the cock of a gun which was then wisely levelled at her head. "Shoot me and you will never see Constance Bonacieux alive again." Rage flared through my like a wildfire, toppling me forwards as I all but leaped from the horse to rush at Milady with a bloodthirsty screech.
"What have you done with her?!" I bellowed as Porthos somehow managed to catch me mid fall, tangling an arm around my middle so that I hung there for a moment, writhing to break free as d'Artagnan marched forwards with equal rage and desperation.
"Where is she? If you've hurt her, I'll kill you."
"You had better return her unharmed, evil vixen," continuing to shout even as Porthos forcibly pulled me onto his lap to restrain me, wisely keeping my hands under his control to keep them from drawing a weapon, I hissed and bared my teeth like a wildcat. "Or I shall do unto you tenfold what you have done to her!" Milady pointedly ignored me, which only served to increase my wrath as she looked at d'Artagnan in an condescending manner.
"Oh, young love. So touching." Fighting against me, Porthos murmured warmly into my ear, soothing me to be calm. It was admirable how he managed to control both myself and his startled horse, reining the creature in as it started and jumped at my burst of emotion. Porthos' voice was like an enchantment washing over me, lulling me gently and inclining my mind to do his bidding. I settled against him and his promptly placed a kiss upon my hair. "I warned you there would be a final reckoning between us, Athos." Lifting her head, Milady addressed the captain directly. "Treville! I'll be waiting with her in the Rue Saint-Jacques in one hour's time. Send them. No one else." With a final word to Athos, blaming him for this inevitable reckoning, Milady walked away, free and unharmed.
I sorely wanted to shoot her. If it were not for the fact that Constance's life was in danger and Porthos had me effectively restrained, I might have put a bullet between her shoulder blades. Or perhaps one in her leg. I might have found it amusing to watch her hobble away. "It will be an ambush. She has no intention of letting any of us live." Athos announced rather blandly, simply stating the obvious. Lightly removing Porthos' arm, I slid down from his horse and promptly ran into my brother's embrace.
He caught me when I jumped upon him, where I felt his warmth and solid body pulsing with life. Not dead. Certainly not dead. "Do not ever do this to me again, brother," I whispered harshly into his ear as I fought back my tears of gratitude and relief. "You do not know the torture it was in that time I thought you gone."
"I swear it will not happen again," he vowed, which in truth was a foolish thing to promise, but I was glad to hear it all the same. When he released me and stepped back, Athos appraised me thoroughly, seeing me for the first time in three months and seemingly not quite believing his eyes. "Look at you, sweet sister. You are so changed I might not have recognised you," the other men all approached, choosing to take this moment whilst it lasted to reunite fully for the first time in what had been far too long.
"But you are undoubtedly our Madeleine, more lovely and radiant than ever," hearing Aramis's praise I could not help but look to him. Radiant. It felt as if he had used the word on purpose, evoking the memory of our reconciliation. I appreciated his kind words.
"What exactly are they feeding you?" D'Artagnan questioned as he lifted my hand to have me twirl under his arm, looking at me from every possible angle. "Whatever it is, it has done you the world of good. Clearly, service to the queen suits you better than anything."
"Oh hush, all of you," I scolded lightly, flicking at Porthos has he had become fascinated with my hair, lifting the short locks to run them through his fingers. "You are being too generous, I am not so altered that it should shock you all senseless. We must think of what matters most at present, and that is Constance. We must save her, and be done with this business once and for all." Despite my firmness, they all continued to smile at me which brought a rush of colour to my cheeks.
"Definitely our Madeleine," Treville agreed with the others as they hummed and nodded their heads. "Only Madeleine can bark orders and expect them to be so readily obeyed, even by me." My cheeks burned all the more, so with a sound of exasperation I marched myself towards a horse, warning them that if they did not hurry, then someone would be either be walking back to the barracks or sharing a mount with someone else. Seeing that their remaining choices were only each other, everyone leapt to retrieve their horses.
As I reached for the horse nearest to me, Treville's, I think, I felt a burly arm snap around my middle and lift me up so effortlessly that it almost felt as if I had suddenly taken flight like a bird. Porthos sat me upon his own horse, in front of him this time, and quickly pulled himself up behind me. "Porthos, I am not a doll. You should not pick up a lady so suddenly." Gathering up the reins, Porthos pulled the horse around to face it back towards the barracks.
"The only woman I pick up like that is you, Madeleine, so unless you mind it then it doesn't matter."
"Well…I suppose…but all the same. Do not be so liberal with other ladies, I warn you." Hearing his deep, jovial chuckle against my back, Porthos pulled at my hair lightly and promised he would be careful. We rode swiftly back to the barracks to make ready for our final appointment with Milady. We each polished our weapons and filled our ammunitions, ready to make war upon whatever army Milady might have raised to stand against us. As I pulled on a spare pair of thick leather gloves, Treville came to find me.
"Little one," calling softly I immediately looked to him, my shoulders going lax as his presence brought with him a natural ease and peace of mind. "I thought perhaps you might like these." Pushing the door further open, Treville stepped inside to reveal he was carrying my bow and quiver. My face lit up upon the sight of them. "I kept them after you returned them to me, I thought perhaps eventually they would be useful again. They served you well, I hope they do so again."
"You are a wonder and a delight as ever, captain." Taking the bow and quiver, I reached up to kiss his cheek fondly. "Pray my aim will be true."
"That, and for your safe return." With such prayers, I felt emboldened enough to stride directly into hell and challenge the Devil himself. As such, this was exactly where I was going and what I planned to do, for I associated Milady with the notion that she was a devil incarnate. An evil thing which required expunging from this good earth. It was my duty to see it done, both to honour my brother Thomas, and to protect my brother still living. Athos. I worried for him. Worried that his heart still lingered in earnest for her. She had buried her claws deep into him, and still yet refused to completely let go. If she continues to live, then I feared for Athos.
She had to die, even if it had to be by my hand. Now ready with the quiver strap secured across my front and the bow in my hand, I walked to where the others had gathered themselves into a circle, placing a hand one upon the other until they were all connected. "All for one," Porthos began in solidarity, however before they could complete the mantra, the core value of the Musketeers, their eyes turned upon me. Tilting his head, Athos motioned for me to join them. It felt an honour and a privilege to be so invited.
It felt as though they were recognising me, acknowledging me in a way which felt more meaningful than anything else. I was one of them, and thus, I had earned my right to join them. Failing miserably to keep my expression passive, I placed my hand at the very top of theirs, quickly swallowing back the swell of emotion so that when I spoke, my voice did not waver. "And one for all."